Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's tension migraine headaches are rated as 50 percent disabling, effective September 21, 2018. Effective January 24, 2014, the Veteran is also granted SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected PTSD and additional disabilities with a combined rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asbestos-related pleural scarring, is granted. For the period beginning April 21, 2012, a higher evaluation of 40 percent for posttraumatic arthritis of the right knee, status post right lateral meniscectomy, is granted.

The Board has decided to remand twelve service connection claims for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining fourteen issues were previously denied in a November 2014 rating decision and require issuance of a statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 50 percent from May 31, 2012 to July 13, 2016.,Service connection for right hand disability and bilateral elbow disability are denied as they do not meet the criteria of a qualifying chronic disease or undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and secondary service connection for a right lower extremity disorder. The conditions are found to be related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for left knee degenerative joint disease, residual of ACL tear and reconstructive surgery with history of instability is denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, and bilateral pes planus due to missing VA treatment records from 2014 to the present. These records are needed to properly assess the Veteran's conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, and right knee disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a left knee disability is granted. Service connection for a left foot disability, secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, is also granted. The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his knee disabilities and back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination as there is insufficient evidence on file regarding the current severity of the appellant's knee disabilities and GERD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's left foot bunion, left knee disorder, and right leg disorder are at issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically in terms of range of motion and flare-ups. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical records, verify periods of active duty, and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative tear of the medial meniscus and post-traumatic arthritis, may be related to service despite a pre-existing condition. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent, effective January 23, 2015. Ratings were granted for his right shoulder and left knee disabilities, but not for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's use of a left knee brace for his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease is deemed to cause wear and tear on clothing, warranting an annual clothing allowance for the year 2015.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability and GERD due to inadequate VA examinations. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for less than 10 years immediately preceding his death. The claim for DIC is denied.